Poll: Romney Erases Obama's Lead in Virginia

In a shift in Virginia, Mitt Romney is now essentially tied with President Obama among the state's likely voters, according to a Fox News poll released Thursday. A month ago, Obama led 50 percent to 43 percent; the new poll shows Romney with 47 percent and Obama with 45 percent, a difference that's within the poll's margin of error.

In September, the candidates were also evenly splitting support among independents, with 43 percent each. But that group has since broken for Romney, who now commands 53 percent of their support, compared to 31 percent for Obama, who is helped by higher levels of Democratic voter identification.

The poll, conducted Oct. 23-24, surveyed 1,126 likely voters. It carries a margin of error of plus-or-minus three percentage points.

Romney is posting a 30-point lead among white men and voters from households earning more than $100,000.

The Republican challenger also now has as high a favorability rating as the president, 54 president. And the president falls short of the crucial 50 percent job approval rating by two percent points.